Man accused of rape, kidnapping arrested in stolen vehicle in South Nashville
Police said that after the assault, the victim was punched in the face and strangled with her own jacket as she attempted to escape.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Madison man is facing a slew of charges including rape and kidnapping following his arrest in a stolen vehicle on Thanksgiving night.
The Metro Nashville Police Department announced the arrest of 34-year-old Jessie Lamont Wardlow in South Nashville Thursday night while he was allegedly behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle after the assault of a woman.
MNPD reports that Wardlow was wanted on four charges related to the Nov. 22 aggravated rape of a 25-year-old woman on Gallatin Pike South prior to his Thursday arrest. The victim from the Nov. 22 rape said Wardlow lured her away from her friends, took her phone, forced her to remove her clothing, and sexually assaulted her before she was able to run away to a nearby gas station.
Police said that after the assault, the victim was punched in the face and strangled with her own jacket as she attempted to escape. She was able to hide in the back of a gas station on Gallatin Pike South. Wardlow allegedly entered the store shortly after and an employee ordered him to leave.
The victim was taken to TriStar Skyline Medical Center and treated.
Thursday night, police said another victim reported she was in the passenger seat of a gold Chevrolet Malibu with Wardlow when he attempted to rape her. During a struggle to prevent Wardlow from removing her clothes, he punched her in the face, according to police.
The victim was able to drive off after Wardlow stopped at a convenience store on Haywood Lane. A cell phone belonging to the owner of the Malibu rang and the victim coordinated returning the car to its owner. The two women, the victim of the attempted rape and the stolen Malibu owner, returned to the convenience store together and called 911.
Wardlow was taken into custody and taken to Nashville General Hospital for a mandatory blood sample.
Wardlow was booked in the early morning hours of Friday, and charged with outstanding aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, rape without consent, and assault. He was additionally charged with attempted rape, assault, motor vehicle theft, and three counts of theft. He is currently jailed on a $296,000 bond.
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